Fundraiser for ailing West Bloomfield baby on Tuesday

Members of Keith Elementary School, are hosting a benefit Tuesday, October 15th at 6:00 at Planterra Conservancy for infant Vivian Rose Gray. The baby has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and aggressive form of cancer.

People are invited to a fundraiser to help pay for medical expenses for a baby born to a West Bloomfield couple.

The “Benefit for Vivian Rose Gray” will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Planterra Conservatory in West Bloomfield Township.

Baby Vivian, the 12-week-old daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth Gray, is considered the couple’s miracle baby, organizers explained.

Elizabeth Gray, a Keith Elementary School teacher, and her husband began their efforts to conceive seven years ago, according to township officials. Friends said when Vivian was born, she was considered the Grays’ miracle.

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Vivian has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and aggressive form of cancer, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT). According to cancer.org, this is a very rare, fast-growing tumor of the brain and spinal cord which usually occurs in children younger than three years of age.
When Vivian was six weeks old, the tumor was removed but the disease has metastasized down her spine.

“Doctors at the University of Michigan said we could never have children,” said Lawrence Gray.
“We decided to try in vitro fertilization anyway and we were successful! We were blessed with our beautiful miracle baby. When doctors at Beaumont said Vivian had less than a 10 percent chance of surviving, we refused to believe that God would take away the miracle he blessed us with.
“And so our fight to save our daughter’s life continues,” said Lawrence Gray.

Keith Elementary Principal Phillip Pittman, elementary school “family” and West Bloomfield Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste are inviting people to the benefit.

The suggested donation of $50 per family will be used for medical treatment costs. Checks should be made payable to Vivian Rose Gray Fund-Accountants’ Unit. People unable to attend should mail checks to the Grays’ residence at 5130 Shenandoah, West Bloomfield MI 48323.

West Bloomfield Trustee Steve Kaplan is establishing the Vivian Rose Foundation for larger donations, officials said.
Planterra is located at 7315 Drake Road in West Bloomfield. RSVP to Ureste at 248-977-6805.